Registration at Nasson College, Photo: Sanford Tribune
By Lawrence Furbish
Activities began for Nasson College’s 39th academic year. More than 100 attendees were at an informal reception for freshmen, other new students and parents, held outdoors on the lawn of Brown Hall. A highlight of the week was the freshman-faculty dinner with President Roger Gay as master of ceremonies. President and Mrs. Gay also hosted a homecoming tea at their home on Bradeen Street for upperclassmen and transfer students.
During his address at the First Chapel service at Nasson, President Gay exhorted students to consider the “deep-felt need of the country” for citizens who have a great personal sense of moral responsibility. Citing several contemporary scandals and social problems, he stressed the need for men and women with hearts and consciences – people who were aware of the impact of their actions on their fellow man.
Chairman of the Sanford Board of Selectmen, Thomas Meunier, explained the general plan for the reconstruction of Riverside Drive, with its name probably being changed to William Oscar Emery Drive. The construction would run from Front Street to Riverside Drive. Funds for the work would come from the trust fund set up by the late William Oscar Emery and managed by the Sanford Trust Company. Funds from this trust must be used to beautify the Town of Sanford.
A Boston engineering firm was selected by the Navy to conduct a preliminary survey at the Sanford Airport to determine what steps would be necessary to make the field suitable for jet aircraft. The issue was how to extend the existing 6,000-foot east/west runway by an additional 2,000 feet to give sufficient landing and take-off space for jets. The Boston firm reported that the Sanford field was one of the “best engineered projects” it had seen with excellent construction, general design and good approaches without obstruction from every angle.
Attention was called to a new state law concerning school buses which went into effect on August 20. Drivers “from either direction” were required to stop when overtaking a bus which was halted to discharge or receive students. Drivers were prohibited from proceeding until the school bus resumed motion or until signaled by the bus driver. Authorities said the new law was not being followed.
The Maine Publicity Bureau distributed a promotional pamphlet worldwide entitled, “Maine Invites You.” It included advertisements for various Maine businesses and establishments. Thayer-Diggery received a card detached from the pamphlet requesting samples of women’s clothing and a catalogue of dresses. The card was signed by Hashim Al-Fakhri, Qara-Sereal Road, Mosul, Iraq.
The A&P grocery store was selling whole hams for 63 cents a pound and fresh whole native chickens for 47 cents a pound.
First National was promoting haddock for 19 cents a pound and “fresh plump stewing oysters” for 78 cents a pint.
The Capitol Theater was showing Flying Leathernecks starring John Wayne, while at the State Theater, one could catch My Friend Flicka in Technicolor. The Sanford Drive-In Theater was running the Bowery Boys in Blues Busters and Strangers on a Train.
Lawrence Furbish is president of the Sanford-Springvale Historical Society. The Historical Society Museum in Springvale has many resources regarding Sanford’s history. It is open Saturday, 10 am-2 pm and Friday 10 am-4 pm.
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